Appropriate cut-off value for follicle-stimulating hormone in azoospermia to predict spermatogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was undertaken to determine the optimal cut-off value for FSH to predict the presence of spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 206 non-obstructive azoospermic men were enrolled in this prospective study. By using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we determined the optimal cut-off value for FSH and evaluated whether the test could adequately predict successful sperm retrieval.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 108 non-obstructive azoospermic patients who had evidence of spermatogenesis (group A) and achieved success in sperm retrieval. Another 98 non-obstructive azoospermic patients (group B) failed in sperm retrieval. The mean value of serum FSH in group B was significantly higher than in group A (28.03 +/- 14.56 mIU/mL vs 7.94 +/- 4.95 mIU/mL, p < 0.01; respectively). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.939 +/- 0.02 and a cut-off value of 19.4 mIU/mL discriminated between group A and B with a sensitivity of 70%. The positive predictive value for failed sperm retrieval (group B) can reach 100%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Elevated plasma levels of FSH of more than 19.4 mIU/mL could be used as a reliable criterion for a trial of sperm retrieval from testes in artificial reproductive techniques.</p

Epigallocatechin Gallate Attenuates Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction-induced Bladder Injury via Suppression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-related Apoptosis-In Vivo Study

OBJECTIVES To investigate the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea extract, on partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO)-induced bladder injury in a rat model. METHODS The female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham or BOO procedures, and were divided into several groups (sham with saline injection, sham with EGCG treatment, BOO with saline injection, and BOO with EGCG treatment). The rats in each group were randomized into 2 groups (48 hours and 30 days after the BOO procedure) for when their bladders were harvested. EGCG (4.5 mg/kg/day) and saline were administered via intraperitoneal injection after the BOO procedure during the study period. Bladder tissue was examined for inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related apoptotic markers by Western blot, and histological staining. RESULTS BOO induced acute bladder injury (hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophil infiltration) after 48 hours. In addition, cystometry showed a decrease in micturition pressure and intercontractile interval. We also observed increased expressions of cyclooxygenase-2, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase at 48 hours, as well as ER stress markers such as caspase-12 and CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Treatment with EGCG significantly improved pBOO-induced histologic changes, bladder dysfunction, and the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2, CHOP, and caspase-12 at 48 hours. Similarly, EGCG treatment for 30 days effectively recovered compliance and intercontractile interval, submucosal ER stress-related apoptosis (CHOP and caspase-12) at 30 days after pBOO. CONCLUSIONS EGCG alleviate pBOO-induced bladder injury and dysfunction via suppression of inflammation and ER stress-related apoptosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc

The Activation of Peripheral 5-Ht1a Receptors Can Inhibit Seminal Vesicle Contraction: An in Vivo Animal Study

OBJECTIVES To elucidate the differential effects of stimulating various peripheral 5-HT receptor subtypes on the contractile response of seminal vesicles (SVs) induced by electrical stimulation (ES). METHODS Male Wistar rats (aged 12-14 weeks) were prepared as our previously established model , which allows an intraarterial injection of test agents to directly act on SV. Four selective 5-HT agonists-8 -OH-DPAT (5-HT1A), 5- nonyloxytryptamine (5-HT1B), BW723C86 ( 5-HT2B), and MK-212 (5-HT2C)-were injected at various concentrations (from 10(-8) to 10(-4) mmol/kg). After an injection, the SV contractile response was recorded after ES of lesser splanchnic nerve was applied. Relationships between the concentration of an agonist and its effect on SV contraction were plotted and analyzed. RESULTS The peripheral injection of 5-HT1A agonist had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on SV contraction and could achieve an inhibition of >50 %; the IC50 was 3.16x10(-6) mmol/kg. No significant effects were observed with the peripheral injection of 5-HT1B, 5-HT2B, or 5-HT2C agonist. CONCLUSIONS Our in vivo animal study shows that the activation of peripheral 5-HT1A receptors can inhibit ES-induced SV contraction, whereas the activation of peripheral 5-HT1B, 5- HT2B, or 5-HT2C receptors has no significant effect. The results suggest that the peripheral 5-HT pathway is a potential therapeutic target of the treatment for premature ejaculation

An Ex Vivo Evaluation of Regulatory Role of Biogenic Amines in Rat Seminal Vesicle after Pharmacological Manipulation

We studied the neural regulation of seminal vesicles (SV) by determining the changes of intraluminal pressure of rat SV in response to an electric stimulation of the lesser splanchnic nerve (LSN). After pharmacological manipulation with neurotoxin, the contents of monoamines and their metabolites in SV were estimated. In rats receiving electric stimulation of the LSN, an increase of intraluminal pressure was obtained with a reduction of the serotonergic turnover rate in SV. An intraperitoneal injection of DSP-4 ( 100 mg/kg), the noradrenergic neurotoxin, into rats decreased the level of norepinephrine (NE) in SV significantly but did not influence this functional response . Also, the intraluminal pressure was lowered by an intrathecal injection of 6-OHDA (20 mu g/rat) to denervate spinal monoaminergic nerves in rats although the contents of monoamines in SV were not changed. This indicates that noradrenergic neurotransmission appears unimportant in this regulation. The lowering of intraluminal pressure in rats by 6-OHDA is mainly related to an attenuation of dopaminergic neuroregulation from the decrease of turnover rate of DA. Otherwise, an intrathecal injection of 5,7-DHT (60 mu g/rat) to abolish spinal serotonergic nerves did not influence the level of monoamines in SV but increased the intraluminal pressure indicating an involvement of inhibitory regulation from spinal serotonergic pathway. These results suggest that contraction by electric stimulation of the LSN in Wistar rat SV is mainly regulated by the dopaminergic nervous pathway and an inhibitory regulation of the serotonergic nervous pathway from spinal cord while the noradrenergic nervous system seems unimportant for this regulation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc

Finasteride Upregulates Expression of Androgen Receptor in Hyperplastic Prostate and Lncap Cells: Implications for Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: Although finasteride is recognized for its role as a chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer, higher grades of malignancy have been reported. It is questioned whether blocking of testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by finasteride in prostate tissue will change expression of androgen receptor (AR). Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of finasteride on AR expression in prostate tissue and in the LNCaP cell line. METHODS: Between January and December 2006, we retrospectively selected and evaluated 47 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with variable duration of finasteride (5?mg QD) before transurethral resection of the prostate. AR expression in prostate tissue was semiquantified by immunostaining and compared with duration of finasteride treatment. An androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line ( LNCaP) was cultured in charcoal/dextran- treated FBS with DHT or testosterone, and treated with finasteride for 1-3 weeks. Samples of total RNA were collected to analyze expression of AR by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction . RESULTS: Immunohistochemical study revealed significant upregulation of ARs by finasteride treatment for 30-180 days . In cell line study, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed significant upregulation of ARs treated by finasteride. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, finasteride influenced AR expression in benign prostate tissue and prostate cancer cell. Before we can use finasteride in chemoprevention with confidence, we still need to clarify the influence of finasteride in ARs and its regulation pathway

Modified Plication of the Tunica Albuginea in Treating Congenital Penile Curvature

Objective To describe a modified plication technique and compare the results with the Nesbit procedure for treating congenital penile curvature . Patients and methods Eleven men with congenital penile curvature were treated by a modified tunica albuginea plication technique. An artificial erection was induced by normal saline injection; in the areas where plication was planned, Buck's fascia was opened longitudinally and dissected a short distance toward the midline to free the neurovascular bundles. Allis clamps were used to grasp the tunica albuginea and 'bumps' created. Two interrupted U-shaped sutures using 2/0 polyglactin were placed underneath each Allis clamp to secure the bump. The results were analysed retrospectively and compared with the results of 11 other men treated using the Nesbit procedure. Results The mean (range) follow-up was 25 (12-47) months for the Nesbit procedure and 15 (8-26) months for the modified plication procedure. In the Nesbit group, eight patients had satisfactory cosmetic and functional results: three complained of penile shortening and one had erectile dysfunction. In the modified plication group, 10 patients reported satisfactory cosmetic and functional results: one complained of penile shortening, two were concerned about the indurations of the penis but none had erectile dysfunction. Conclusions The modified plication technique is easier to perform. is more often successful and causes fewer surgical complications than the Nesbit procedure for treating congenital penile curvature

Parasympathetic Influence Plays an Independent and Significant Role in Inducing the Contraction of the Seminal Vesicle of the Rat

OBJECTIVES The role of the parasympathetic pathway in seminal vesicle (SV ) contraction has not been well described . The purpose of this study was to study parasympathetic effects, the dominant muscarinic receptors subtype(s), and nitric oxide (NO) effects for SV contraction. METHODS In vivo, SV pressure of mature male Wistar rats were recorded after electric stimulation (ES) of each pelvic nerve (PN; parasympathetic pathway) alone; bilateral PNs simultaneously , the L6 and S1 branches of the left PN; the left PN after ablation of sympathetic influence; the lesser splanchnic nerve (LSN) after ablation of parasympathetic influence; and the LSN after pretreatment of 4 muscarinic receptor antagonists or a NO donor-3- Morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). RESULTS ES to the left PN caused frequency- dependent SV contraction, with similar results after ES to the right PN and bilateral PNS. ES to the L6 branch of the left PN caused significantly greater SV response than to the S1 branch. Ablation of sympathetic influence did not affect SV response to parasympathetic stimulation and vice versa. The inhibitory effects of 4-DAMP (M3 antagonist) and atropine ( nonselective muscarinic antagonist) on SV response to ES were similar and significantly greater than those of pirenzepine (M1 antagonist) and methoctramine (M2 antagonist ). Pretreatment of SIN-1 partially suppressed the SV response of ES to left PN. CONCLUSIONS ES via the parasympathetic pathway independently induces contraction of rat SV; NO partially suppresses the SV pressure response to parasympathetic ES

Cyst-Like Chylous Coagulum in the Urinary Bladder of a Patient with Recurrent Chyluria

We report a rare case of recurrent chyluria in a 64-year-old man, who had undergone sclerosing therapy for chyluria with complete remission 40 years previously. The chyluria recurred 4 months before the present hospital admission. The patient presented with acute urine retention and weight loss of 6 kg during the past 6 months. Urine biochemistry studies showed elevated concentrations of albumin (0.7 g/dL) , globulin (0.6 g/dL) , cholesterol (0.59 mmol/L), and triglyceride (0.89 mmol/L), confirming the diagnosis of chyluria. Intravenous urography showed a substantial filling defect in the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy revealed milky urine flowing out of the right ureteral orifice, and a large chylous coagulum presenting as a cyst-like mass in the urinary bladder. The chyluria was successfully treated with sclerosing therapy with injection of 76% Urografin (Shering AG, Berlin, Germany) into the right upper urinary tract , and the chylous coagulum was evacuated endoscopically. No evidence of chyluria recurrence has been noted during a year of follow-up, and the patient has regained 6 kg of body weight This particular presentation of chylous coagulum in a chyluria patient has not been previously reported in the literature